5 Important Tips For Meeting Someone Offline For The First Time

Did you know that most couples meet their spouses online, with 19% of brides reporting that they met their significant others through online dating and social media?

If you’re ready to take that next step and meet your special someone in person, it’s important to feel prepared.

Meeting someone offline for the first time doesn’t have to be stressful! Let’s get into what you need to know.

Meet in Public

As a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to meet anyone in a safe, public place. Make sure you arrive at the location early. If you’re driving, park in a well-lit and safe, monitored area.

Daytime is always preferred to nighttime. Try and pick a busy, neutral area like a coffee shop, restaurant, or shopping mall where plenty of people will be around.

Manage Your Expectations

Most people feel a bit nervous shifting from online to meeting someone offline for the first time. It’s okay to experience some anxiety! Dating can feel stressful!

It’s always good to enter your meeting with an open and realistic mind. You don’t want to emotionally invest in a perfect fantasy only to be met with disappointment.

Think about the Conversation

Ideally, you want the conversation to flow naturally and effortlessly. With that said, the beginning of meeting someone can always feel somewhat stiff and awkward.

Having backup questions to ask your date can always help. Keep it casual. Ask about their family, hobbies, or home. Ask about their job or their pet.

You can always reference discussion points you talked about online. When in doubt, practice the art of listening if you feel unsure about what to say next.

Dress Happily

As it turns out, you don’t need to completely dazzle your date with a stunning outfit your first appointment. Aim for a mixture of comfort with flattery and don’t wear something you’ve never worn before (especially applies to shoes).

The best advice? Wear something that makes you feel attractive- whatever that is!

Before the date, make sure that you take care of your basic grooming and hygiene. It doesn’t hurt to spring for fresh haircut or manicure if that’ll help you feel more confident!

Know Your Money Expectations

When it comes to paying for the first date, controversial traditions are changing, and this is especially true with younger generations.

There’s still a pervasive school of thought that, in heterosexual dynamics, the man should always pay– but the woman should offer her half.

There’s another school of thought stating that whoever asks for the date is expected to pay.

Finally, some people just agree for simplicity’s sake that both parties equally split the bill.

Final Thoughts on Meeting Someone Offline for the First Time

Dating can feel daunting and exciting for both parties involved.

At Special Bridge, we understand that meeting someone offline for the first time can be difficult. Having a disability can make this experience even harder. That’s why we have created an even playing field to start friendships and relationships.

Paul Patredis

Dashon Stewart

May 12, 2018 at 5:14 pm

I’m still waiting for my girlfriend from Forked River,New Jersey.Her name is:Ketty Powell.Because we are still text messageing back and forth with our cellphones.And we are still getting along with each other.But I can’t wait to meet her face to face right here in Columbus,Ohio.But I still love japanese-american girls but i’m still looking forward to meet with Ketty Powell from Forked River,New Jersey.

i’m a young lady 31 years single and working with WALGREENS searching for the right lover of my soul because am having hearing impairment and don’t have any more spectrum…kindly contact me to see if we have mutual understanding and can both make it real standing by the test of time and all the challenges in life

Albert Lombardo

I am legally disabled. However, I have a car and drive but get lost a lot.

I would love to meet a lady who has the same disability i have. I don’t need a wheelchair. I have no physical disabilities. But i do have a disability.

I have a nice quiet place here. And i love to cook. But i am NOT overweight. I take good care of my body and what i put into it. I love to sing. And write either novels/screenplays. Would of been an established writer if the late Brandon Lee hadn’t accidentally kill himself on the set of, THE CROW back in ’93…..

Looking forward to hearing from you…. If you are local enough, we can get together. But first we talk on the phone for a while. For both of us to get to know one another.

HEY this is Wandakate…I just read what you wrote back in July. Not sure if you are still on this site or not. I am legally disabled with a hearing impairment (better one on one than in a crowd however), and I have a slight case of paralysis but I do drive, have an SUV and a small dog. I’m NOT sure what your disability is b/c you only said you get lost when driving, but that’s not really specific.
You say you have a nice quite place but didn’t say where it is located.
I also LOVE to cook. I am NOT overweight either, I just lost 40 pounds over the years. I am 5ft. 7.5 in tall and now weight about 138 lbs. I eat healthy and don’t overeat. I don’t sing, however I do write lyrics to country and gospel music. I am a writer also and published 2 books back in 2016 that contain over 300 pages each with pictures in them. I have recorded my own demo CD or one of my gospel songs. I design jewelry and sell it as well as to Pencil Art and sell that also. I am retired from teaching.
And as you wrote I also will look forward to hearing form you. I am NOT sure how close we are together since you didn’t say here where you live now. I don’t hear on a phone so that’s not possible. I do however e-mail and I text for emergencies.

Glenn

September 12, 2018 at 11:04 pm

I start yes I have a disability, it is epilepsy, plus I walk stiff legged on 1 side, I do learn slower but that’s due to my epilepsy.
I am trying to find out some information about this site before joining. Yes I can drive,
1. How likely is a person to finding someone in the same town, or close?
2. Do people judge on this site?
3. How much does it cost to be on here?

Leanore Gregorio

January 24, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Yes I wasinvolved with an online person for 2 weeks but came to my senses when things start getting really hot & scary!
He promised me every thing after his job as an oil worker on a rig until March!
Want to come & live with me mind u only have a very small 1 B/B!
Also wanted to know how much my credit cards can go up too !
So not so interested in this guy so much anyhow plus lied about his email was wrong & he said he had 3 homes & ford !
Didn’t. Trust in him so text him a Dear John text !
Felt bad too block all my text but you never know a person in just 2 weeks & you must meet before you leap!! I am 70 & he is almost 60 me no children him 1 son !